Read Online Tracie Peterson - [Heirs of Montana 04] by The Hope Within - Free Book Online

team and buggy,” Cole said as though he’d not already told this to Dianne.
    “I think that’s a wise choice,” she murmured. Dianne sensed a growing distance between her and her husband. She knew she was mostly responsible for it, but now it seemed Cole was adding to it.
    “I’m sure they can extend the lease for as long as we need,” he said.
    Dianne supposed it was his way of warning her that they might be here for some time, but she refused to let herself consider that.
    With Lia’s ribbon readjusted, Dianne helped her daughter onto the seat, then turned to her husband. “I know you’re worried about what you’ll find, but please remember that I love you and I’m here by your side.”
    Cole patted her hand. It was really the first sign of affection he’d given since their trip began. “I know. I know this is hard for you as well. I’m grateful that you’re here.”
    Dianne cherished the moment and in an uncharacteristic show, she leaned over and kissed Cole on the cheek. A matronly woman from across the aisle gave a loud “harrumph” at this public display, causing Dianne to almost giggle out loud. If a woman nearing forty, mother to four children, couldn’t give her husband a little kiss on a train without raising eyebrows, Dianne didn’t know what the world was coming to.
    Still, all across the western mountains and prairies, Dianne had seen the world civilize itself more and more. She saw the fancy traveling suits of other women. Heard the refined speech of a couple’s conversation. She knew her children were considered to be complete urchins, with one woman even suggesting Dianne give them a healthy dose of laudanum to ease the journey for all.
    I’m not going to like this end of the world, she thought with a sigh.

    “It looks just like I remember,” Cole said as they drove into the farmyard. “Pa’s done a good job of keeping it up.”
    “It’s very nice,” Dianne admitted. “I can’t say that I like this humidity, though.” Her clothes felt as though they were sticking to her body, and the air was so heavy that she wondered if she’d ever be able to draw a decent breath.
    “Do they have a dog?” Luke asked, hanging over the side of the open buggy.
    “Yes, at least they did when I lived here. He was a very nice dog too. I’m sure you’ll have fun with him.”
    “Does he look like Barky?”
    Dianne smiled. The family’s collie had been dubbed Barky Dog-dog by Luke when both were very young. The name had stuck and since been revised to just “Barky.”
    “No, he’s not a collie like Barky. He’s big and black,” Cole said as a dog came bounding off the porch, barking up a storm. He wasn’t black, however, but rather a mottled mixture of brown, white, and gold.
    A woman came out onto the porch and called to the animal. “Jake! Jake, come!”
    The dog reluctantly heeded his mistress’s call.
    “Ma!” Cole stopped the horses and jumped down from the buggy without even setting the brake.
    Dianne quickly corrected this problem, then turned to her children. “Be on your best behavior. It’s important that you mind your manners, as Grandpa’s sickness has made it hard on everyone. He might even be with Jesus now, and that will make Papa very sad.”
    The children all nodded, wide-eyed and obviously intrigued by their new circumstance and surroundings. Dianne managed to descend from the buggy without help, then reached up to take hold of Lia. The boys bounded out without hesitation, seeming to enjoy every moment of their adventure.
    Dianne looked to see that Cole was listening to his mother. The woman seemed to be talking in a rapid but hushed voice. Whether she did this because she didn’t want Dianne and the children to overhear or because this was her nature, Dianne had no idea. There was nothing here that she knew—nothing that she understood.
    Dianne cautiously approached the porch with her children, wondering if she should have waited in the buggy. Cole’s mother